Jakarta (ANTARA) - Environment-friendly means of transportation applying state-of-the-art technology, such as autonomous vehicles, would be widely operated in the Nusantara Capital City, according to Ministry of Transportation's Director General of Land Transportation Budi Setiyadi.

"It is likely that vehicles plying in Nusantara will be autonomous. However, it is still under the process of development," Setiyadi remarked during the Jakarta Auto Week here on Saturday.

The idea of operating such vehicles aligns with President Joko Widodo's (Jokowi's) directive that only electric-powered models will be operated in Nusantara in order to nurture the environment.

Nevertheless, the proposal is still being coordinated with the relevant ministry that manages infrastructure issues as the main support for more green vehicles.

"We have prepared it, and the budget is ready this year. Next year's (budget) has also been prepared and even until the president's directive is realized," Setiyadi remarked.

The regulations on autonomous vehicles will also be discussed further for them to be implemented successfully.

"It is because these vehicles do not use drivers. The regulations should be prepared carefully," he explained.

Earlier, Jokowi had instructed that fossil-fueled vehicles would not be operated in Nusantara Capital.

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On the other hand, options for public transportation comprise mass rapid transit (MRT), light rail transit, electric trams, feeder buses, and first/last mile services.

Some facilities to be built are shared parking spots in high-density areas, special pick-up/drop-off locations, flexible sidewalks, ride-sharing, car-sharing, smart parking systems, electric vehicle charging stations, and package delivery centers or last-mile expeditions using e-trike, drones or automatic vehicles (AV).

The government has also designed electric or hydrogen-based public transportation with digital systems, prioritized the use of building materials with low-energy consumption and carbon footprint, as well as equipment or tools from local or recycled products.
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Translator: Chairul R, Kenzu T
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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